diff --git a/internal/core/account/account.go b/internal/core/account/account.go
index e68ac37..7b11673 100644
--- a/internal/core/account/account.go
+++ b/internal/core/account/account.go
@@ -222,8 +222,17 @@ func (a *Actions) Create(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, rc *server.Requ
 	}
 	link := a.inviteLink(guid)
 	a.sendInvite(ctx, name, email, link)
-	return a.renderList(w, r, rc, http.StatusOK,
-		fmt.Sprintf("Created %s and emailed the invitation.", name), "notice", link)
+	return a.renderList(w, r, rc, http.StatusOK, a.inviteNotice(name), "notice", link)
+}
+
+// inviteNotice is the outcome line after a successful create. It does not claim
+// an email was sent when mail is not configured — the link below is the
+// fallback the admin shares by hand (SPEC-010 §5).
+func (a *Actions) inviteNotice(name string) string {
+	if _, nop := a.d.Mailer.(mail.Nop); nop || a.d.Mailer == nil {
+		return fmt.Sprintf("Created %s. Email is not configured — share the invitation link below.", name)
+	}
+	return fmt.Sprintf("Created %s and emailed the invitation.", name)
 }
 
 // createError maps a users.Create sentinel to an HTTP status + a human message.
diff --git a/internal/core/server/spec010_account_admin_test.go b/internal/core/server/spec010_account_admin_test.go
index ef7d4e8..aef6d25 100644
--- a/internal/core/server/spec010_account_admin_test.go
+++ b/internal/core/server/spec010_account_admin_test.go
@@ -34,12 +34,19 @@ func spec010Gate() *server.Tiers {
 // ceremony the account page reuses) and the admin-only role gate. It returns
 // the harness and the recording mailer.
 func spec010Door(t *testing.T) (*harness, *mail.Fake) {
+	t.Helper()
+	mailer := mail.NewFake()
+	return spec010DoorWith(t, mailer), mailer
+}
+
+// spec010DoorWith is spec010Door with an explicit mailer (a test can pass
+// mail.Nop{} to exercise the "email is not configured" path).
+func spec010DoorWith(t *testing.T, mailer mail.Mailer) *harness {
 	t.Helper()
 	mods, err := module.Load(nil)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("module.Load: %v", err)
 	}
-	mailer := mail.NewFake()
 
 	h := newHarness(t, func(d *server.Deps) {
 		reg := server.NewMapRegistry()
@@ -62,7 +69,7 @@ func spec010Door(t *testing.T) (*harness, *mail.Fake) {
 	})
 	web.SetNav(mods)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { web.SetNav(nil) })
-	return h, mailer
+	return h
 }
 
 // spec010Team creates an ACTIVE team member under the admin (for the non-admin
@@ -245,8 +252,32 @@ func TestSpec010AC3_CannotCreateARoleAtOrAboveYourOwn(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
-// ── AC-4 — the invite path enrols ────────────────────────────────────────────
+// TestSpec010AC3_NoMailStillShowsTheLink: with mail unconfigured the invite is
+// not claimed to be emailed — the link is the fallback (SPEC-010 §5).
+func TestSpec010AC3_NoMailStillShowsTheLink(t *testing.T) {
+	h := spec010DoorWith(t, mail.Nop{})
 
+	body := createUser(t, h, "nop@example.com", "team")
+	u, err := h.users.ByEmail(h.ctx, "nop@example.com")
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ByEmail: %v", err)
+	}
+	idn, err := h.ids.ByUserID(h.ctx, u.ID)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("ByUserID: %v", err)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(body, "/"+idn.GUID) {
+		t.Errorf("the invite link is not shown when mail is unconfigured:\n%s", body)
+	}
+	if strings.Contains(body, "emailed the invitation") {
+		t.Errorf("the page claims an email was sent with no mailer configured:\n%s", body)
+	}
+	if !strings.Contains(body, "not configured") {
+		t.Errorf("the page does not say mail is unconfigured:\n%s", body)
+	}
+}
+
+// ── the account page's factors ───────────────────────────────────────────────
 // TestSpec010_AccountShowsTheUsersFactors: the account page reports the passkey
 // count and whether TOTP is enrolled (SPEC-010 §4).
 func TestSpec010_AccountShowsTheUsersFactors(t *testing.T) {
@@ -275,6 +306,8 @@ func TestSpec010_AccountShowsTheUsersFactors(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 }
 
+// ── AC-4 — the invite path enrols ────────────────────────────────────────────
+
 // TestSpec010AC4_InvitedUserEnrolsAtTheGUID: the emailed link opens the
 // enrolment screen (SPEC-006's invite path — no new flow).
 func TestSpec010AC4_InvitedUserEnrolsAtTheGUID(t *testing.T) {